Key Takeaways
- GoodBytz unveiled its modular robotic kitchen at INTERNORGA 2023, showcasing various functional modules designed for food preparation.
- The company utilizes a robotics-as-a-service model, charging customers a monthly fee along with a price per meal produced.
- GoodBytz aims to expand into the Asian and North American markets after initially targeting Europe, having raised €4 million in funding.
Innovative Kitchen Robot Launch
GoodBytz, a German startup specializing in robotic kitchens, presented its newest kitchen robot at the INTERNORGA 2023 trade fair in Hamburg. The innovative system is designed to enhance food preparation across various types of cuisine through modular components that can be customized for different menus.
At the core of the system is a refrigerated storage module capable of holding between 24 and 72 ingredients and sauces. This module feeds into various food assembly robots that can measure ingredients, fill bowls, place toppings, and handle cleaning. One notable function is the topping module, which can incorporate up to 24 ingredients into each bowl. For large-scale operations, the ‘cooking zone’ module can produce up to 3,000 meals daily, specifically tailored for hot food.
The system includes multiple components such as a serving module offering four types of bowls and an output module to present completed meals for delivery. Also featured is a dishwasher module, ensuring hygiene within the kitchen setup. Overall, the system occupies 12.75 square meters, a spacious area allowing for its self-contained professional kitchen operations.
The robotic kitchen operates through an internal mechanism where two robotic arms gather ingredients, cook, and serve meals. Upon receiving an order, a robotic arm retrieves a cooking pot to dispense the required ingredients and sauces, with subsequent cooking occurring in a rotating pot system that mirrors the Spyce cooking technology for optimal heat distribution.
After cooking, the robotic arm transfers the food into a bowl, which is then enhanced with additional toppings from the dispensing station and sent on a conveyor belt ready for service. The intelligent features of the cooking robot include sensors that adjust ingredient measurements and cooking times based on the dish, alongside a touchscreen control for recipe customization. Furthermore, the system is capable of integrating with various Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems to monitor ingredient inventories and ensure freshness.
GoodBytz CEO Hendrik Susemihl outlined the company’s business model as robotics-as-a-service, where clients pay a monthly subscription along with variable costs based on the dishes produced. The pricing depends on the specific configuration chosen, distinguishing between cold bowl setups and those using convection ovens for cooking.
After just three months of development, GoodBytz’s prototype kitchen became operational. Their ghost kitchen launched in June 2022 to facilitate real-world testing of the robot’s capabilities. The startup anticipates commencing meal preparations for its initial major client, Sodexo, in the third quarter of 2023. During INTERNORGA 2023, GoodBytz also established partnerships with system suppliers Palux and Winterhalter.
While initially focusing on the European market, Susemihl indicated aspirations for future expansion into Asia and North America as early as next year. The company has successfully secured €4 million in seed funding and is currently in the process of raising a Series A round for its growth.
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